Best Stratocaster Guitars Made In Japan in 2024

Here are the top Stratocaster style guitars made in Japan . You should expect a high-quality guitar with excellent quality control. It can be compared to guitars made in the US, which is why they're also expensive.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Jackson MJ Series Signature Misha Mansoor So-Cal 2PT

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Jackson MJ Series Signature Misha Mansoor So-Cal 2PT
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Playability 70
Sound 79
Build quality 77
Value for money 65
Overall Score 75

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 3 Prices - New from $2,234.33 >
  • From Jackson's 2021 Artist Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 20" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Caramelized Maple neck
  • Caramelized Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Bare Knuckle Ragnarok (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Bare Knuckle Trilogy Suite Single Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Bare Knuckle Trilogy Suite Single Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Die-Cast Locking tuners
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  • 3 Prices - New from $2,234.33 >
  • From Jackson's 2021 Artist Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 20" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Caramelized Maple neck
  • Caramelized Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Bare Knuckle Ragnarok (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Bare Knuckle Trilogy Suite Single Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Bare Knuckle Trilogy Suite Single Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Die-Cast Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson MJ Series Signature Misha Mansoor So-Cal 2PT
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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2. Fender JV Modified '60s Stratocaster

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Fender JV Modified '60s Stratocaster
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Playability 67
Sound 79
Build quality 69
Value for money 72
Overall Score 72

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (2 votes)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
  • Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
  • Neck profile shape: V (5 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (5 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 5 Prices - New from $1,199 >
  • From Fender's 2022 JV Modified series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles bridge
  • Thick Soft V Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage-Style Locking tuners
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  • 5 Prices - New from $1,199 >
  • From Fender's 2022 JV Modified series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles bridge
  • Thick Soft V Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage-Style Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender JV Modified '60s Stratocaster
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Parallel Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Fender JV Modified '50s Stratocaster HSS

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Fender JV Modified '50s Stratocaster HSS
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Playability 67
Sound 79
Build quality 69
Value for money 72
Overall Score 72

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: V (5 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (5 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 4 Prices - New from $1,329 >
  • From Fender's 2022 JV Modified series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Hot Vintage Alnico Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles bridge
  • Thick Soft V Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage-Style Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,329 >
  • From Fender's 2022 JV Modified series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Hot Vintage Alnico Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles bridge
  • Thick Soft V Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage-Style Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender JV Modified '50s Stratocaster HSS
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Stratocaster

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Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Stratocaster
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Playability 67
Sound 74
Build quality 67
Value for money 69
Overall Score 69

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 4 Prices - New from $1,190.99 >
  • From Fender's 2023 Made in Japan Limited Edition series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo bridge
  • U Shape Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Fender Vintage F Stamped tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,190.99 >
  • From Fender's 2023 Made in Japan Limited Edition series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo bridge
  • U Shape Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Fender Vintage F Stamped tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Stratocaster
  • Made in Japan
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Fender Aerodyne Special Stratocaster

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Fender Aerodyne Special Stratocaster
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Playability 67
Sound 77
Build quality 65
Value for money 75
Overall Score 70

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (36 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (35 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 7 Prices - New from $879.99 >
  • From Fender's 2022 Aerodyne series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Babicz Z-Series FCH-2 Point Trem bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking (all short posts) tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 7 Prices - New from $879.99 >
  • From Fender's 2022 Aerodyne series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Babicz Z-Series FCH-2 Point Trem bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking (all short posts) tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Aerodyne Special Stratocaster
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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6. Fender Aerodyne Special Stratocaster HSS

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Fender Aerodyne Special Stratocaster HSS
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Playability 67
Sound 77
Build quality 65
Value for money 75
Overall Score 70

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (36 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (35 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • 4 Prices - New from $699.99 >
  • From Fender's 2022 Aerodyne series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Babicz Z-Series FCH-2 Point Trem bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking (all short posts) tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $699.99 >
  • From Fender's 2022 Aerodyne series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Aerodyne Special Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Babicz Z-Series FCH-2 Point Trem bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking (all short posts) tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Aerodyne Special Stratocaster HSS
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

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